In the course of its first year any startup will confront issues it had not anticipated. Decisions will be made that are wrong. Every new business is different, and every one will encounter its own unique problems. Here are the lessons we learned from our mistakes at CircleUp in our first year.

According to the Kickstarter's data, there was $274 billion collected last year (+238 percent from 2011). In comparison, VC's invested $26.5 billion in 2012 (-10 percent from 2011). Do you see the difference?

For most entrepreneurs crowdfunding is not just an option anymore. It is a necessity. And as we all know, necessity is the mother of invention. Stay tuned.

Equity crowdfunding (or crowdfund investing) is not operational and not legitimate in the United States yet and for those who are growing comfortable with the concept, there are three essential facts to remember.

By making it possible to sell equity (shares of stock), this will open the door for more investors to get involved and fund private businesses. This will facilitate many more businesses coming into the market, because they will finally have access to the capital they need to get started.